Effects of structural faults on ground control in selected coal mines in southwest Virginia

Summary Two faults related to the Pine Mountain overthrust sheet near Buchanan County, Virginia, were investigated to determine their effect on ground control and to develop recognition criteria for prediction. Both faults are right lateral, strike-slip faults overprinted simultaneously with thrust faulting. Offsets of the coal seam due to thrust faulting average 6 ft with severe roof conditions (20 ft high roof falls) occurring through an average 30 ft wide zone of disturbance. Recognition criteria include characteristic overthrusting, coalbed swag, bedding plane slippage, and fault gouge. Ground control strategies include mine designs that minimize fault exposure.